The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1887-03-10

Rsgister-Beautiful Appearance Of the
Cemetery-Graves Of the Unidentified.
The Rows of Tombstones.
Let us turn TO the cemetery. This Is stu
ated about half mile northeast Of the station
at Andersonville, and comprises about twenty
four acres of beautifully undulating grounds,
with many natural features not TO be found
in the spot from which We have just turned.
The appearance Of tho cemetery has been en-
tirsly changed since war days. Then it was
but a rude field. The dead were buried in
trenches sevon feet wide, four feet deep and
from fifty to 80 yards long No collins were
used but the twisted, emaciated forms OF the
dead prisoners were laid side by side, ard at
the head of each WAS driven q little stake, on
which was painted . number corresponding
to the number of the body en- the death regis
ter. The cemetery WAS \ dirsful necessity,
and no extra pains we're taken with it. Not
before June, 1865, wAs any step taken toward
inclosing the ground and marking the graves
so that they could be identified in the future
A word of explanation respecting the death
register is perhaps necessary that the reader
may see why only 92l out of 1898 lack
Identification When prisoner died his
comrades reported TO the registrar Of the
dead, prisoner appointed for that purpose,
near the wicket at the south gate Tho
registrar recorded the name, state, regiment,
company, rank and date of death of the dead
man and assigned him a number. Thus each
corpse was numbered and as thoy were car
ried out in the dead wagon for burial care
was taken TO inter he bodies IN order and
mark each with numbered stake. All this
was done by prisoners detailed for that work.
and hence the care that was exercised.
IDENTIFYING THE GRAVES
Thus, when James B. Moore, assistant
quartermaster United States army, was APP
pointed to care temporarily for the dead at
Andersonville, he had no difficulty with the
aid of the registry that had been kept i'll
identifying most Of the graves. With a
force of several hundred men he proceeded to
lay out walks, fence in the grounds and
mark the graves with painted head boards.
About 10000 feet Of pine boards were thus
used. OF course, some stakes had been re-
moved and some directions on the registry
were imperfect: but the care that was taken
is a credit TO those who had the matter in
charge
The work then begun 50 timely has since
been untiringly kept up. The cemetery now
presents a beautiful appearance. The grounds
are nicely laid out and neatly kept. The
whole Is inclosed 10y a brick wall about five
and a half feet high, the plainness of the wall
being relieved by neatly constructed twenty
foot panels, which are supported by square
piasters, the pilasters being carried above the
top course Of the wall The fine iron gates
are always open TO visitors, who flock to the
place by hundreds.
From the center of diamond shaped plat
rises a iiag staff ON which the stars and stripes
are to be seen flying from sunrise 10 sunset,
except in inclement weather. Near by are
stationed a couple of cannon, mounted on
stone bases From this point rGdiate four
finely kept avenues, about twenty feet wide;
parallel rows of large water oaks cast on thsm
an abundant shade; brick cutters on either
side keep them well drained The four sec
tons of the cemetery are also well shaded and
beautifully adorned with shrubs and foliage
plants.
ROWS OF TOMBSTONES.
The graves of course, are as they were
first formed The painted head boards that
Nj Moore erected have been taEenaWay and
burned, and substantial white marble slabs
have been erected in their places. These
stones are of two kinds but those of each
kind are uniform. Here and there, indeed,
are stones that have been furnished by the
family of the dead, but the majority are of
the uniform make, fu ni5hed by the govern
ment
For the graves of identified soldiers the
tom5stones are fiat. polished slabs, three feet
long one-half being under ground four
inches thick and twelve inches wide. On the
face side is a raised shield, and on this IS
recorded the number, name, rank and state
of him who SLEEPS below This is neat, and
of course somewhat monotOnous, but it is the
best a generous minded public could do. For
the unknown soldiers the stones are four
inches square and project only five inches
above ground. The rows of graves are about
ten or twelve feet apart Everything is so
neatly cared for, the spot is so replete with
memories, the symmetrical rows of tomb
stones are so symbolic of q similar cause and
an equal fate, the pleasant grounds are 50
shady and quiet that one feels the scene
deeply impressive Here and there, too, are
found cast tabletS-there are some twenty-five
of them altogether-bearing suitable inScrip-
tons. Many of these are extremely beauti-
ful. bringing to the visitors mind the dignity,
herosm and suffering of the fallen soldiers
Cor. Chicago Times.